Railroad-torpedo.



W. A. WILLIAMS.

RAILROAD TORPEDOQ APPLICATION mu) JUNE 15. 1915.

Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

i STA i as arnnr @FFTQEi WALTER A. WILLIAMS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO-OEN TEAL RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA- TION OF NEW JERSEY.

RAILROAD-TORPEDO.

Application filed June 15, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WALTER A. humans, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements 1n railroad torpedoes. The object of the invention is to provide a torpedo of light, flexible material, adapted to be folded in compact form, and which may be applied to a rail by an adhesive. A further object of the 1nvention is to provide a waterproof structure to preclude dampness, at the same time preserve the necessary flexibility to permit of the application of the device to a rail.

My invention also relates to the construction of the torpedo whereby I am enabled to employ suitable fabric or rubber provided with an adhesive, whereby the device may be quickly applied to the rail in fixed position solely by adhesion.

The invention also relates to the details of construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims. 1 In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the application of my invention to a rail. Fig. 2 is. a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3-8 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the parts separated.

1 indicates a lower strip of fabric, rubber or other suitable flexible material, provided on its outer surface with a coating of waterproof cement. On the lower rectangularshaped strip 1 is the charge or explosive compound 3. Over the lower rectangularshaped strip 1, and the charge or compound 3, is an upper strip 4, of fabric, rubber or other suitable material similar inshape. The inner faces of the two strips 1 and 4 are provided with waterproof cement and are pressed tightly together to entirely inclose the charge or compound. The upper strip i is pressed snugly around the charge, and when the cement between the strip dries, water or dampness cannot penetrate the ma- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented N ov. 21, 1916.

Serial No. 34,222.

terial, hence the charge is thoroughly protected. The strips are preferably made of waterproof material, and as they are secured together by waterproof cement, obviously the elements cannot deteriorate the charge. In use the underside of the torpedo is moistened and is laid across a rail and the free ends are pressed around to embrace the ball of said rail. The adhesive substance on the bottom surface of the topedo readily adheres to the rail, and as the cement quickly sets, it requires but a moment to fix a torpedo in position for use.

My invention is not limited to any particular kind of adhesive, since the inventive idea will be carried out by the use of any adhesive which will stick to the rail, among which may be mentioned adhesive such as used in surgical plaster; tire tape; crude rubber or a mixture of tallow and rosin, or, in fact, any adhesive which will stick to the rail sufliciently to hold the torpedo thereon.

Many attempts have been made to construct a torpedo which when the charge is exploded will remove the fragments from the rail; but so far as I am aware, this has not been successively accomplished. The

outward force of the explosive is efiective transversely as well as longitudinally of the rail, which will overcome the force of the cement and effectually remove the strips.

The torpedo may be formed by providing a strip 1, and making the upper strip 4 con sist of a covering of sufiicient width and length to protect the charge or explosive, also allow the wheels to ride upon it easily without displacement from the rail.

What I claim is 1. A torpedo comprising two strips of flexible material secured together, the lower strip having its outer surface covered with a coating of adhesive substance, and a charge of explosive compound between said strips.

2'. A torpedo comprising two strips of waterproof fabric secured together and embracing a charge of explosive compound, the under side of one of the said strips having a coating of adhesive substance to secure the torpedo to the rail.

8. A torpedo comprising two strips of waterproof flexible material cemented together and inclosing a charge of explosive compound, the under side 01 one of said strips having a coating of adhesive substance to secure the torpedo to the rail.

a A torpedo comprising tWo strips of Waterproof fabric cemented together endinclosing a charge of explosive compound the ends of the strips extending beyond the charge, and means for adhesively securing the strips in operative position on the rail.

In testimony whereof I hereunto my signature.

WALTER A. WILLIAMS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each; by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents, Washington, I). C. 

